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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-21 MinutesBoard of Trustees Meeting Fayetteville Public Library September 21, 1987, 7:00 p.m. Present: Board Members Dorothy Bowen, Bobbye Hay, Foster Park, Carol Phillips, Margaret Salassi; Library Director Linda Harrison; Ozarks Regional Library Director Karen Duree The special meeting was called to order by President Hay at 7:00 p.m. Introductions were made both of the Board members and of the considerable number of Library staff members whose advice about the Library closing was sought. Before turning to the problem of the closing the Board elected Dorothy Bowen to serve with President Hay and Treasurer Phillips on the Budget Committee. Environmental Protection Associates of Russellville has-been awarded the contract for the asbestos removal. It plans to begin work Monday, October 5, and hopes: to be finished in approximately three weeks. Director Harrison requested that the Board approve Library closing to the public on October 2 and 3 before construction work begins, in order that staff can make necessary preparations. Carol Phillips so moved, with a second from Margaret Salassi. The Board unanimously approved closing to the public as of Friday, October 2. The date for reopening is, of necessity, a bit uncertain. Two or three days of staff work (after construction is completed) will be necessary before public reopening. Unfortunately the Library may still be closed during the Arkansas Library Association meeting in Fayetteville, November 1-3. Director Harrison presented detailed plans for staff work to continue on an individual basis during the closing. Particularly useful will be genealogy indexing and file servicing, for which there is little or no time when the Library is open to the public. The City has agreed to move the necessary files and other materials for use. Staff will also be on call for special assignments from the Library Director. Staff will work the same number of hours per week as normally scheduled. There is no expectation that any overtime work will be needed during the process of restoring public services after construction is completed. A motion by Foster Park, seconded by Margaret Salassi, to approve the work plan during closing and the payment of regular salaries was passed unanimously. Director Harrison summarized other plans for the closing: notices to the public about the closing, including large signs, flyers, and notices in the media; circulation of lists of other libraries in the area that the public may use; announcements of story hours. Since books cannot be returned to the Library building during the asbestos removal, the question of due dates and book over - dues was discussed. Margaret Salassi moved, seconded by Foster Park, that all fines be suspended for three weeks after reopening to permit more leisurely returns without penalty. Such a policy will furthermore help staff to cope with the unusually large number of books to be returned. The question of allowing staff time to attend the Arkansas Library Association meetings on the normal work days of November 2-3 was discussed at some length. Genie Donovan of Adult Services spoke briefly about the advantages of attending such meetings. In view of the uncertainty of the Library reopening to the public page 2 Meeting for September 21, 1987 (continued) it was agreed that if the asbestos removal has been prolonged and the Library is not open on those days, they will be considered as in-service training days for those staff members desiring to attend ALA meetings. Money is available in the 1987 budget under "Travel and Training" for conference fees, up to $980.00. The Library Director announced that the Equal Opportunity Commission has decided in favor of the Library and its director in the sex discrimination charges brought by a former employee several months ago, although further appeals and/or litigation are still possible. Dorothy Bowen graciously invited the Board to her home for the regular October 12 meeting, since the Library will be closed on that day. The meeting adjourned at 8:i5 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Foster Park, Secretary